Title : MAPPING AND MONITORING OF NOISE LEVELS IN CAMPUS ENVIRONMENT USING GEOSPATIAL TECHNOLOGY
Authors : Y. Pari (1), E. Rajasekar (2), A. Khaleel (2), M. Ravi (1) and Rajan Venkateswaran(2)
Publication : February 13-16, 2013
Volume :
Pages : 13-Jan
Price : 250
Abstract : Noise pollution is a significant environmental hazard especially in urban areas. Office campuses located in such urban setting experience the prevalence of noise annoyance which will have an influential effect on the indoor noise levels of the office spaces. It is therefore important to develop standardised methods for noise mapping in these areas. This article focuses on the research that was initiated to experimentally monitor and model the noise levels in an office campus spread across 24 acres. Noise spectrum was recorded in 100 predetermined points planned with the help of GIS technology. A wide variation of noise levels is found across the campus with LAeq ranging from 50 dB(A) to 80 dB(A) and linear sound pressure levels ranging from 68 dB to 90 dB. Low frequency noise levels were found to be predominant with peak value ranging up to 95 dB (63 Hz). Comparatively high frequency noise levels were less intense with peak value ranging up to 65 dB (8000 Hz). Analysis of noise spectrum was carried out with respect to peak and non-peak traffic hours, day and night time, office working day and holiday durations. Using ARCGIS tool, spatial interpolation has been made in order to give a continuous graphical representation of sound levels. It is found that the GIS based noise maps provide spatial presentation of acoustic situation which can be used for analysis and management. It also provides a good visualisation tool for evaluation of noise propagation, calculation of areas affected by noise and to assist in development of noise mitigation measures. With the help of this technique the impact of noise sources like HVAC system exhausts, DG sets and abutting traffic corridors were determined. The GIS based noise maps clearly indicated the noise impact on various building facades. Based on these measurements, a set of noise mitigation measures have been evaluated and the feasibility of implementing the same has been discussed.